Device for connecting a tubular element

Abstract

A coupling device for a tubular element comprises a hollow body having a housing, a cartridge locked in the housing in a first position, the cartridge then protruding from the hollow body, the cartridge having an outer wall and an inner wall delimiting an inner channel, the inner channel having a first end forming an inlet for receiving the tubular element and a second end provided with an obstacle, an annular seal and a fastening ring disposed in the inner channel in order to secure the tubular element in the inner channel in sealed manner. The coupling device comprises an unlocking system configured to allow, when the tubular element exerts a force against the obstacle, the unlocking of the cartridge and its movement to a second position, in which the cartridge is entirely incorporated in the hollow body.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A coupling device of a tubular element, comprising:
 a substantially cylindrical hollow body having a housing that leads into an opening, the housing having a first notch; 
 a cartridge locked in the housing in a first position, the cartridge projecting from the opening of the hollow body in the first position, the cartridge having an outer wall and an inner wall that defines an inner channel, the inner channel having a first end that forms an inlet for receiving the tubular element and a second end that is provided with an obstacle, the cartridge further comprising a first retaining member supported on its outer wall and designed to fit elastically into the first notch in order to hold the cartridge ( 4 ) in the first position; 
 an annular seal arranged in the inner channel; 
 a fastening ring arranged in the inner channel, between the inlet and the annular seal, to sealingly fix the tubular element in the inner channel, wherein the fastening ring is C-shaped; and 
 an unlocking system designed to allow the cartridge to be unlocked and moved from the first position to a second position, in which the cartridge is fully integrated in the hollow body when the tubular element, inserted in the inner channel, exerts a force against the obstacle. 
 
     
     
       2. The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing of the hollow body has a second notch, and wherein the cartridge comprises a second retaining member configured to fit elastically into the second notch in the second position. 
     
     
       3. The coupling device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second retaining members form a single retaining member. 
     
     
       4. The coupling device of  claim 3 , wherein the unlocking system comprises the single retaining member and the first notch, the single retaining member and the first notch being configured so that the minimum force necessary, when the tubular element is inserted, to release the single retaining member from the first notch is greater than the force necessary to sealingly fix the tubular element in the inner channel. 
     
     
       5. The coupling device of  claim 4 , wherein the cartridge comprises an inner tubular member that, together with the inner wall, forms the inner channel, the inner channel being tubular. 
     
     
       6. The coupling device of  claim 5 , wherein the housing of the hollow body has a shoulder, and wherein the unlocking system comprises the shoulder and comprises at least one flexible tab that is supported by the tubular member and forms the obstacle, the flexible tab extending obliquely in the inner channel so as to gradually narrow the inner channel in an insertion direction, and ending with a lug, the lug abutting the shoulder when the cartridge is in the first position, the force exerted against the flexible tab by the tubular element allowing release of the lug and unlocking of the cartridge. 
     
     
       7. The coupling device of  claim 6 , wherein the unlocking system comprises a plurality of flexible tabs distributed evenly at an angle. 
     
     
       8. The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the hollow body comprises an inner tubular member, on the side opposite to its opening, 
 the cartridge comprises a flexible restrictor tip configured to reduce the diameter of the inner channel at the second end, and to abut the inner tubular member when the cartridge is in the first position, and 
 the unlocking system comprises the flexible restrictor tip that forms the obstacle, and the inner tubular member. 
 
     
     
       9. The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall includes a third notch between the inlet and the fastening ring, and wherein the coupling device comprises a substantially cylindrical retaining ring inserted into the cartridge, the retaining ring having a third retaining member configured to fit elastically into the third notch and to hold the fastening ring in the inner channel. 
     
     
       10. The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner channel includes a second annular seal arranged between the inlet and the fastening ring. 
     
     
       11. The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening ring has a tapered inner portion to grip the tubular element upon its insertion and prevent its removal. 
     
     
       12. The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening ring comprises metal. 
     
     
       13. The coupling device of  claim 12 , wherein the fastening ring is made of brass. 
     
     
       14. The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall of the cartridge comprises a third annular seal configured to provide a seal between the cartridge and the hollow body. 
     
     
       15. The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the annular is made of rubber. 
     
     
       16. The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises an inner tubular member that, together with the inner wall, forms the inner channel, the inner channel being tubular. 
     
     
       17. The coupling device of  claim 16 , wherein the housing of the hollow body has a shoulder, and wherein the unlocking system comprises the shoulder and comprises at least one flexible tab that is supported by the tubular member and forms the obstacle, the flexible tab extending obliquely in the inner channel so as to gradually narrow the inner channel in an insertion direction, and ending with a lug, the lug abutting the shoulder when the cartridge is in the first position, the force exerted against the flexible tab by the tubular element allowing release of the lug and unlocking of the cartridge. 
     
     
       18. The coupling device of  claim 17 , wherein the unlocking system comprises a plurality of flexible tabs distributed evenly at an angle.